Robert the Bruce

Robert the Bruce is obviously one of the most important historical figures in Scotland's history. This film, without spending a Hollywood mega budget, makes a decent fist of trying to show how Bruce realises that to be successful in his quest for the throne, he has to begin to understand what those who are not the nobility need.

The fact that there are no references to the Dutch house of Orange or the takeover of the British crown by the Hanoverians seems to have irked certain sectarian groups in Scotland enough to get them to bring their poison onto a film review site!

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I thoroughly enjoyed this film seeing him in a different light and all his vulnerabilities on show. It was very moving and hits you in the heart. Beautifully done and loved it. Look forward to next one. Please say there will be a next chapter.

Below average. With most of the external shots being from Montana, which looks exactly like Montana not The Highlands of Scotland, it reminds me of a cowboy film. Many of the accents are terrible and the storyline is just limp and unbelievable. There is even a visit to a witch living in an Indian style teepee at one point. Shooting a deer with an arrow after making a racket is not likely to happen, unless the deer is deaf, stupid and stuffed but the worst and most extensive part is that Montana is not Scotland and it doesn't look like Scotland! It's like filming an American Civil War movie in the desert. It might be cheaper but it Just doesn't work. Shame as it's a good tale to tell so many inconsistencies makes it hard work to watch - Montana, witches, accents... :(

My title kind of sums up the general feeling towards this watchable but pensive movie, concerning the life and times of one of Scotland's greatest heroes. In fact it's only really about a month in real time and leading up to his final, victorious battle against the English. Great scenery, competent acting (with authentic details ans accents) but lacking in the sheer excitement and high drama of say a Mel Gibson production.

First thing to say is with Braveheart still casting a long shadow over this period in Scotland's history and the more recent Outlaw King proving an entertaining if flawed take on The Bruce, the writers of this had a decision to make.

Clearly the decision to focus on Robert the Bruce's months in hiding was as much a financial decision as any artistic one. With the filming taking place in Montana, a largely unknown non Scottish cast and a novice director the budget constraints were more than apparent on screen.

This is not necessarily a barrier to making a watchable film but the idea that his months in hiding would make for an entertaining two hours was naive at best.

What we see is a fairly well worn tale of wounded hero taken in by noble peasant family until fit to return to his feet.

The young cast all perform well as does the mother Morag despite the limitations of the script but one speech in particular from the daughter is so maudlin it nearly ruins her entire performance.

Along with the stock medieval goons and villains pursuing The Bruce for the bounty on his head, the wonky sometimes laughable accents and a liberty taking retelling of The Bruce's altercation with John Comyn, the film casts The Bruce as a Taciturn almost mute figure when he is on screen.

This is meant to convey inner turmoil obviously but it unfortunately turns the film into a giant slog. Two hours feel like three and when do get some action at the end it is like sn Oasis in the desert. Even though it is a fairly standard battle sequence.

There are dozens of 10/10 reviews for this film here. And while I can't pretend to know exactly why they chose to score it this highly I can take a pretty good guess.

Unlike my fellow Yes voters I have to be honest. This just wasn't very good and was fatally flawed from the get go with the decision to include no real moments of spectacle.

If you're after a film about The Bruce then Outlaw King is still the best one out there. Just watch that.